December 15 / 13.40 Doncaster

13.40

Good To Soft

Yates Drywall Ltd Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Yates Drywall Ltd Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £81.00
  • Place: £10.20

Form: 23-5

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
2m AW winner for Richard Hughes, whom he left for £33,000; beaten 6l in a 2m Flat handicap on debut for this yard before reportedly bleeding from the nose in a Sedgefield maiden hurdle; could yet pay his way in this discipline if the wheels stay on; hooded for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

15:00 Sedgefield

Wholeofthemoon

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

held up in rear

14/1

8th

5

(10)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:55 Chester

Wholeofthemoon

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

steadied start, switched left soon after start, held up in last, struggling 5f out, soon detached, tailed off from 4f out

16/1

15th

12

(9)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:15 Chester

Wholeofthemoon

8st 13lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Donald McCain

Below form sole start here, when upped to 2m last September on latest Flat outing (yard debut); 80-1 win on handicap hurdle debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December, followed by two respectable efforts but he was soundly beaten on latest start; others are a bit more persuasive.

18/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: /3526-

Last run: 250 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; essentially disappointing over hurdles with his standout form a second in a Taunton novice; beaten a long way on his switch to handicaps when last seen in April (2m4f, good); wouldn't be the obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 3

13:30 Doncaster

Bold Reaction

11st 7lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

took keen hold, led, soon went clear, jumped slightly left 5th

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £8.80

Form: 4/523-

Last run: 284 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Produced similar RPRs in three maiden hurdles (2m-2m4f) last season and has since undergone wind surgery; will need to find some improvement off this initial mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Uttoxeter

Jumping Jupiter

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Has the form to feature but he's pulled up the last twice and connections reach for another change of headgear.

25/1

2

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:00 Market Rasen

Jumping Jupiter

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Mark Walford

1-11 over hurdles; returned from break with two very respectable fourths at end of last season (2m1f/2m3f, good) but has a point to prove after lacklustre performance at Southwell in May.

8/1

5

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Jumping Jupiter

11st 2lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 6th, not fluent and reminders 7th, lost touch 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

9/2

Form: 32-176

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
It was a winnable maiden that he won at odds-on and he's not remotely threatened to defy a penalty, at Ascot then Warwick; now goes up in distance for his handicap debut and has stamina in his pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

22

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Soldierofthestorm

10st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

British runner is a three-time hurdles winner who has taken well to fences this season; built on positive chase debut when scoring from the front at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March; not given an easy lead at Newton Abbott and jumping lacked fluency when last of the four runners (2m5f, good); easy lead could be difficult to find once again in this big field.

25/1

4th

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Soldierofthestorm

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdle winner who has taken well to fences this season, building on an encouraging second on chase debut when scoring from the front at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March, jumping soundly throughout; this represents a different challenge but the 5lb rise is unlikely to halt his progress and another bold bid is on the cards.

6/4

Form: -41322 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Hold-up performer; hurdle and dual chase winner at up to 2m3f; 16lb higher than for her Market Rasen win in August but has continued to run admirably, latterly pushing an in-form rival close at Sedgefield off just 2lb lower; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

17:00 Musselburgh

Spot On Soph

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Tailed off at Market Rasen in November and same story at Catterick last month on her sole run since; however, she may have needed that latest outing and runs off the same mark as for her win at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) in September; yard's horses are running well and she's not discounted.

7/1

7th

7

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Spot On Soph

10st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Tailed off at Market Rasen in November last time, but she'd enjoyed a predominantly consistent spell previously and maybe a break will have helped; has won here twice over fences; not ruled out on her return.

10/1

Form: 73P-13 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
The ground was good when showing much improved form to win on his return in a Huntingdon handicap (2m3f, good) and perhaps the 9lb rise found him out at Market Rasen, although conditions were good to soft that day; if the ground did dry out he would need considering with useful 7lb claimer Kai Lenihan employed this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:57 Uttoxeter

Mikhailovich

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Came from poor position to win by 7l on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) in June 2024 and returned from long absence with good second over hurdles at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August, where he travelled much more sweetly; it's hard to tell what mood he'll be in here but he could still have significant potential over fences.

7/2

1

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Mikhailovich

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Won a handicap over hurdles and won going away on chase debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) 14 months ago; on a competitive mark but likely best watched on this return to hurdling after his absence.

8/1

1st

5

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

18:25 Market Rasen

Mikhailovich

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Kim Bailey

Easy Huntingdon winner (2m3f, Class 5 handicap hurdle) last October and placed off a higher mark here next time; however, his last two efforts have been below-par, pulling-up at Taunton two months ago; switches to fences with enough to prove at present.

14/1

Form: 24-44

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
0-2 in points and 0-4 under rules, but there have been clear signs of ability and has contested novices at top tracks the last twice; should pay his way in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Il Va De Soi

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Put a disappointing run of form behind him when returning to winning ways over C&D (good) 11 days ago, making all; whether he can reproduce that effort is another matter but he is still well handicapped on his old form.

11/4

1st

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

19:07 Warwick

Il Va De Soi

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

His two wins came on soft in April 2024; out of sorts over fences and hurdles this term; cheekpieces return and has dropped to a career-low mark but doesn't look ready to take advantage.

14/1

8th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Il Va De Soi

11st 8lb

J: Megan Fox

T: Harry Derham

His two wins came on soft in April 2024; out of sorts over fences and hurdles this term; drops back in trip but his best form has been over further.

16/1

Form: 1214

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Has won two of his four juvenile hurdles and now enters handicaps after a placed effort on the AW; has form figures of 213 in cheekpieces under both codes; could do with conditions drying out but he's respected with his age allowance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Two Past Eight

9st 0lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Alan King

Scored over hurdles in the autumn and in good form on the AW since, neck second of seven at Southwell (2m) 19 days ago; he ought to be in the shake-up nudged up 1lb.

6/1

5th

8

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Two Past Eight

9st 0lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Alan King

raced wide, in touch with leaders on outer, headway and pressed leaders over 2f out, no extra over 1f out

6/1

2nd

2

(6)

29th Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Two Past Eight

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders, headway over 2f out, edged left when led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on inside final furlong

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 36-23P BF

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Progressing steadily over hurdles until pulling up back in handicap company at Perth in June; not seen since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Boomslang

10st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

A better chaser than hurdler and defied 12st with a game performance at Carlisle (3m, good); 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he'll be fine back at 2m4f.

7/2

Form: 7033-P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Progressive in three runs last season but he was noticeably weak in the betting when pulled up on handicap debut at Ascot (3m, good) three weeks ago; dropping back in trip could help but now has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Sea Village

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Oliver Signy

Placed three times at up to 3m1f over hurdles, all on slow ground; well treated on his form of a year ago but plenty to prove based on three starts since wind surgery.

25/1

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Sea Village

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Oliver Signy

Placed three times at up to 3m1f over hurdles, all on slow ground; well treated on his form of a year ago but plenty to prove based on three starts since wind surgery.

25/1

7th

1

23rd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Sea Village

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Oliver Signy

Struggled in first three handicaps but his third of 16 behind Fantomas at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) a fortnight ago was much better; contender if able to build on that performance.

7/2

Form: 76P/2-

Last run: 560 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Had only three runs in 2022, finishing first and second in points and then runner-up in a handicap hurdle at Tramore; difficult to know what to expect now debuting for a new yard after long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Eric Carmen

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

In cracking form this season, with three wins and a second, until however he went down by 25l at Bangor (good) on latest start; maybe the ground that day was not soft enough; major player if bouncing straight back.

13/2

6th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Eric Carmen

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

A lot more exposed than many in here but he's been in cracking form since returning from an absence and his defeat at Leicester was no backward step (2m4f, good to soft); firmly in the mix.

3/1

2nd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

Eric Carmen

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Has thrived since returning from a break in December, winning two of his three runs over hurdles before adding a third win of the season reverting to fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month, each time under Benjamin Macey; he's up 4lb for last time but is very much a leading contender in current form.

5/4

Form: PP-234 BF

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles but yet to get his head in front and was behind Spot On Soph on final run at Sedgefield two months ago when he appeared to get outpaced; frustration may continue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Brians Jet

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

0-16 over hurdles but all five of this season's runs were respectable and he continues to edge down the weights; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers here; probably won't be far away.

12/1

6th

10

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

19:50 Market Rasen

Brians Jet

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, headway after 3 out, disputing fourth 2 out, no extra run-in

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £297.20
Straight Forecast £287.30
Tricast £8375.75
Trifecta £5272.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Two Past Eight

WEST COUNTRY:

Mikhailovich

SPOTLIGHT:

Il Va De Soi

LAMBOURN:

Bold Reaction

Daily Mail:

Spot On Soph

Telegraph:

Boomslang

TOPSPEED:

Soldierofthestorm

The Guardian:

Brian's Jet

POSTDATA:

Two Past Eight

The Times:

Two Past Eight

Daily Mirror:

Mikhailovich

The Sun:

Mikhailovich

The Star:

Il Va De Soi

D Express:

Bold Reaction

Daily Record:

Spot On Soph